OUR HISTORY
A lot has changed since OLG was founded in 1975 – but our commitment to making a difference for the people of Ontario has remained the same. Explore our history to learn more about our past, and to get excited about our future.
OUR HISTORY
A lot has changed since OLG was founded in 1975 – but our commitment to making a difference for the people of Ontario has remained the same. Explore our history to learn more about our past, and to get excited about our future.
RICH HISTORY, VIBRANT FUTURE
OLG has proudly given back to the people and Province of Ontario since we launched the first lottery in Ontario in 1975. As we evolve, we’re continuing to support communities while creating the future of gaming entertainment. Through product growth and expansion, we are innovating Ontario’s gaming industry while building deep relationships with our customers and partners to drive ongoing success. We can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring.
OLG Through the Years
Explore over 40 years of OLG milestones that celebrate all we’ve achieved.
1992
1992
July
The Ontario government extends use of lottery profits to include the protection of the environment.
1992
January
New OLC headquarters in Sault Ste. Marie officially opens.
1992
February
Two new INSTANT tickets launch: LUCKY 7’s, the first at $1, and ONTARIO INSTANT MILLIONS, the first at $5.
1992
October
PRO·LINE, the new on-line terminal sports lottery from SPORT SELECT, launches.
1993
1993
December
The Government of Ontario launches the Ontario Casino Corporation Act, the culmination of a year of operating policy and program development. The government identifies Windsor, Ontario, as the host community for the province’s first commercial casino pilot.
1994
1994
April
Ontario Casino Corporation (OCC), an early iteration of OLG is formally established.
1994
May
The interim Casino Windsor opens on the riverfront in downtown Windsor.
LOTTO SUPER 7 launches.
To help support people who wish to limit or stop their gambling, OLG’s first Self-Exclusion program is introduced at Casino Windsor in 1994.
1995
1995
January
OVER/UNDER from SPORT SELECT launches.
1995
April
The $3 scratch game INSTANT KENO launches.
1995
December
Canada’s first riverboat casino, the Northern Belle Casino, opens on the riverfront in Windsor to manage overcrowding at the interim Casino Windsor.
1996
1996
April
DAILY KENO, a new daily lottery, launches.
1996
July
Casino Rama opens on Chippewas of Mnjikaning (Rama) land, near Orillia, an hour north of Toronto.
1997
1997
March
SUPERSTAR BINGO, the first personal computer-based, electronically linked bingo game in North America, launches.
1997
September
ONTARIO 49, a 50-cent online terminal lottery, launches.
1998
1998
March
A lottery prize worth $22.5 million is won in Ontario, the largest single Canadian lottery prize to date.
1998
April
The Ontario government announces a slot machine program that will see OLC introduce slot machines at Ontario’s racetracks.
1998
June
The Ontario government announces that OLC will operate charity casinos in Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, Point Edward and Brantford.
1998
July
The permanent Casino Windsor opens on Windsor’s waterfront, replacing the interim Casino Windsor and The Northern Belle Casino riverboat.
1998
September
Falls Management Company is selected to design, develop and operate the planned new Casino Niagara complex which will include a hotel and other amenities. The company will also operate the interim casino.
1998
December
The first slot facility to operate at an Ontario horseracing track opens at Windsor Raceway.
1999
1999
May
Slots at Hiawatha Horse Park in Sarnia opens with 450 slot machines.
Casino Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario’s first charity casino, opens.
1999
August
Slots at Mohawk Raceway near Milton opens with 750 slot machines.
1999
September
Slots at Fort Erie Racetrack opens with 1,200 slot machines.
Slots at Western Fair Raceway in London opens with 300 slot machines.
1999
November
Brantford Charity Casino opens.
Slots at Kawartha Downs near Peterborough opens with 375 slot machines.
Slots at Sudbury Downs opens with 325 slot machines.
1975 – 1989